Sure! Here’s the continuation with a focus on the shower scene and the kiss between Mars and the red-haired girl, adding depth to Sable's perspective and emotions.
---
Episode 1: Sparks in the Arena (Continued)
---
After lunch, the team dispersed to get ready for the afternoon's practice session, which would involve more intense training. Sable took her time heading to the showers, wanting to cool off from the heated conversation she’d just had with Mars. The cafeteria buzzed with chatter and laughter as students moved about, but Sable’s mind was still swirling with thoughts of their earlier rivalry—and the strange connection she felt growing between them.
As she walked down the hallway toward the showers, Sable heard giggles coming from a nearby room. Curiosity got the better of her, and she paused outside the door, listening intently. She felt a mix of intrigue and apprehension, but she couldn’t help but glance through the small window.
What she saw made her heart stop.
Mars stood close to a girl with wavy red hair, both of them laughing softly. The tension from their earlier argument melted away as Sable watched. The girl leaned in, her voice barely a whisper as she said something that made Mars giggle. The moment felt so intimate, warm and genuine. Then, without warning, Mars leaned down and pressed her lips against the girl’s in a swift, sweet kiss.
Sable’s breath hitched in her throat, a wave of unexpected emotions crashing over her. Jealousy mixed with confusion twisted in her gut as she turned her gaze away, her heart racing.
Why did it bother her so much? Mars had every right to kiss whoever she wanted. They weren’t even together; they were rivals. And yet, Sable felt a strange pang of hurt. It was the kind of scene Sable had always imagined for herself—warm, spontaneous, and genuine—and yet here she was, watching it unfold from a distance.
Just then, the door to the shower room swung open, and the girl stepped out, a bright smile on her face. Mars looked over, catching Sable’s eye, and her expression shifted from carefree to startled as she realized Sable had been watching.
“Oh! Sable!” Mars exclaimed, her cheeks flushing a deep red. The girl smiled at Sable and slipped past her, leaving Mars standing there, awkwardly fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
“What was that about?” Sable asked, trying to keep her voice steady, though she could feel the tension building again. “I thought you were all about focusing on the competition.”
Mars shrugged, glancing back toward the showers, her bravado faltering. “It was just a kiss, Sable. We were just messing around. It doesn’t mean anything.”
“Right,” Sable replied, crossing her arms as she leaned against the doorframe. “It didn’t look like ‘just messing around’ to me.”
“It’s not a big deal!” Mars insisted, though her voice lacked its usual conviction. “I like girls, okay? That’s not a secret. Besides, you of all people should understand that.”
Sable felt a flicker of indignation at being put on the defensive. “Sure, I get it. But it’s not like you were hiding it. You just—” She hesitated, searching for the right words. “You didn’t mention anyone else before.”
“Maybe I didn’t think I needed to,” Mars replied, her tone sharper now. “Or maybe I just didn’t want to have to explain every little thing to you.”
“Explain what? Your love life? You could at least give me a heads-up before you start kissing someone right in front of me,” Sable shot back, her annoyance spilling over.
YOU ARE READING
Between Rivals And Reins
Aventura--- Title: Unbridled Tension Description: Marlowe "Mars" Laine has always lived by grit and determination. Growing up on a small farm, she didn't discover her love for riding until she was ten, but once she did, she chased it relentlessly. Now at Wy...
